Books in Essential Library series

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not simply a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.Part of the Mahabharata, the Gita is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. Its verses contain some of the key ideas of Hindu philosophy―Dharma, Moksha, and various yogic practices. Originally written well over a thousand years ago, the Gita has proven to be a timeless source of wisdom, inspiring philosophers and revolutionaries alike in the millennia since it was written. In addition to the retelling of the text, this edition includes a character list, a glossary of important terms, and chapters exploring the back-story from the Mahabharata and the impact and meaning of the Bhagavad Gita itself. The Bhagavad Gita is an approachable way for today’s readers to engage with one of history's richest spiritual epics.

A modern guide to the teachings of Buddhism Buddhism: An Introduction to the Buddha’s Life, Teachings, and Practices is an indispensable guide to a 2,600-year-old wisdom tradition that has transformed the lives of millions across centuries and around the world. Readers will learn how Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, one of the most influential spiritual leaders of all time, and discover how they too can follow his revolutionary methods to attain happiness and inner freedom. Along with accessible overviews of central teachings―the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, karma, core virtues like kindness and compassion, and more―Buddhism covers such basics as:- the three main Buddhist traditions―Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana―historically and their relevance today- the role of meditation and mindfulness in Buddhist practice- step-by-step instruction in key Buddhist practices Writing in an engaging, approachable style, author Joan Duncan Oliver outlines the fundamentals of Buddhism for every reader, revealing its timeless truths and their relevance for finding peace in uncertain times. A practitioner of Buddhist meditation for forty years, Oliver has written extensively on Buddhist wisdom and its application to daily life. Her practical approach makes Buddhism an essential modern guidebook to an ancient tradition.

Heroes, villains, gods, demons, sorcerers, scientists, monsters, mobsters, and a talking duck: More than one thousand dynamic dossiers, collected in alphabetical order for the first time across three volumes! From mutants to martial arts, street crime to space opera, espionage to other dimensions, horror to humor, the past to the future, no corner of Marvel is left untouched! Super-team rosters and histories, alien race outlines and so much more! Get to know the Universe now! Collects Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - Master Edition #1-36, characters/profiles in alphabetical order.

The age of the New Defenders begins here! The Beast assembles the infamous "non-team" into a real super-group, featuring members both old and new - from Gargoyle and Valkyrie to fellow ex-X-Men Iceman and Angel - and now the newly focused heroes must face some of their greatest challenges! Can the Defenders, Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. stop the Secret Empire's Professor Power before he takes revenge on Professor X - and starts World War III ? Plus: Iceman takes on the villainous Void in a time-traveling existential adventure! Beast and Dazzler versus Doctor Doom and a mutant fight club! The menace of Manslaughter! The power of Odin! The redemption of Moondragon! The attack of...Frog-Man and the Walrus?! And much more! COLLECTING: Defenders (1972) 126-139, Iceman (1984) 1-4, Beauty and the Beast (1984) 1-4

With Captain America, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and the Thing around, it's hard to stand out in a crowd - but somehow, the Man-Thing manages it! Citrusville, Florida, faces censorship, prejudice, psychosis, and ghost pirates in stories as relevant today as they were more than twenty years ago! Sorcery, snowmen, and super-soldier serums! Demons, dementia, and D'Spayre await - but have no fear, because, well, if you do... Man-Thing (1974) #15-22 and (1979) #1-11, Giant-Size Man-Thing #3-5, Marvel Team-Up #68, Marvel Two-in-One #43, and Doctor Strange #41

It's another fantastic volume of classic FF action! Marvel's first family heroically battles the Brute and takes on Salem's Seven for the life of young Franklin - so why, when the Molecule Man possesses Mr. Fantastic, does it lead to the team's dissolution? Separated, the Fantastic Four face such foes as Diablo, the Impossible Man and Namor...but when the deadly threat of Dr. Doom returns, the family rises to the challenge and reunites! And just in time, too, for waiting in the wings are Quasimodo, the Inhumans, the Mole Man and the Sandman! COLLECTING: Fantastic Four (1961) 184-188, 190-207; Fantastic Four Annual 12-13

Ben Grimm, the Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing, is back and better than ever in the fantastic final volume of Essential Marvel Two-in-One! Thrill to some of the wildest exploits ever experienced by the Idol of Millions as he journeys around the globe and beyond! From the sands of ancient Egypt to the Canadian wilderness, join Ben and his pals as they participate in everything from micro world melees to championship cosmic bouts. Guest-starring Spider-Man, Alpha Flight, the Sandman, Thor and many more! COLLECTING: MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE 78-98, 100, ANNUAL 6-7

How the Toilet Changed History examines the invention of the toilet and explores how improving sanitation has changed cities and human health. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and maps, charts, and diagrams. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

How the Refrigerator Changed History examines the invention and evolution of the refrigerator and explores how refrigeration has changed the way people eat and live. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and maps, charts, and diagrams. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

How the Light Bulb Changed History examines the invention of the light bulb, how it works, and how electric light changed the way people live and work. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and maps, charts, and diagrams. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.